Safety device for windows



mmf/9@ Nov. 28, 1939.

n B. H. POLLOCK SAFETY DEVICE FOR WINDOWS Filed Feb. 3, 1939 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 28, 1939. s. H. PoLLocK 2,181,790

SAFETY DEVICE FOR wINEows Filed Feb. 5, i939 3 sheets-sheet :s

Patented Nov. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES rATENT ori-*ics 9 Claims.

This invention relates to window-cleaners safety devices for windows,and, more particularly, to means for attaching safety belts forwindow-cleaners to the frames of windows, and is a continuation in partof my prior applica.- tion Serial No. 209,116 led May 20, 1938, forSafety device for windows.

An important object of my invention is to provide a construction whichis entirely free from unsightly projections or knobs such as areordinarily employed in such Windows, thereby economizing space in theshipment of metallic windows and promoting the esthetic appearance ofwindows of all types.

Another and important object of my invention is to provide aconstruction such that the loads imposed upon the frame by theWindow-cleaner are,'either in case of emergency or in ordinaryoperation, borne by a metallic element of the window itself and not by amember attached to the outer surface thereof through connecting meanssuch as are ordinarily employed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a constructionsuch that an extended at- -taching surface may be provided without inany way detracting from the appearance of the window.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a safety structurefor metallic windows which may be installed at the factory, which willnot in any Way interfere with flat packing and storage of the windows,and will not offer projecting portions which might be damaged or damageother windows when the Windows are in transit or during handlingthereof.

Another object of the invention is to aiford a safe and inconspicuousattachment for wooden-framed windows Without the necessity of employingthrough-bolts.

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown in theaccompanying drawings wherein, for the purpose of illustration, I haveshown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing a safety device constructed inaccordance with my invention applied to a metallic window frame;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating its adaptation to a wooden sash;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3--3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective of the Window frame element showingthe opening provided for the safety belt terminal;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the safety belt terminal;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the internal casing element;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view partially in section showing the safetybelt terminal engaged in the opening; 5

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view through the window-applied structureof the safety device;

Fig, 9 is a vertical sectional view similar Vto that shown in Fig. 8 butillustrating a modif-led construction; lo

Fig. 10 is a section on line lll- I0 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. ll is a perspective View of the belt terminal illustrated in Figs.9 and 10.

In accordance with my invention, a vertically extending metallic elementiixedly secured to the Window is provided with a vertically elongatedkeyhole slot. This metallic element can either comprise an actual partof the frame of the Window, as in the case of metallic sash, asindicated at IB, or may comprise an elongated Z-iron II tted to theframe I2 of a wooden sash. When the construction of Fig. 2 is employed,the Z-iron is made of such length as will provide adequate strength, andit will be obvious that the projection of the inner liange behind theframe Will securely anchor this member in position. Slot I3 is made ofconsiderable length, and against the inner surface of the metallicelement yis arranged a similarly slotted casing I4 I ,.,l

the slot of the metallic frame element of the Window and has its lowerWall sloping doWnwardly, as at IS, so that any rain water which mayenter the slot will be shed therefrom and pass to the exterior of themetallic element. Obviously, any other suitable means may be provided toinsure proper drainage.

The casing I4 has an opening, similar to that Of the metallic element,and is adapted to receive through its enlarged upper end Il an elongatedhead element I3 of a terminal I9 for the safety belt 20, the narrowportion 2| of the slot being adapted to receive the restricted neck 22of the terminal.

Upon the outer surface of the metallic element I preferably pivot acover 23, and this cover is, preferably, made in two hingedly connectedsections 23a, 23h, of which the section 23a. is pivoted at the upper endof the opening I3 and is of suftlcient length to cover such portieri ofthat opening as will prevent the elongated head thecase of the ordinaryterminal.

I8 of the belt terminal from being withdrawn from the enlarged portionIl of the slot when the section 23a. depends from its pivotal support. Aspring and cam latch 23e may be used to hold the section 23h in itsseveral positions. This con-A struction will ordinarily prevent theentrance of rain water to the casing, and will hide the slot from Viewin addition to its function in preventing withdrawal of the safetydevice. Attention is directed to the fact, however, that due to theelongation of the head and the fact that the shank and connecting neckof the belt terminal extend downwardly at an angle fromthe head, therewill be a distinct tendency of the head to bind during attempts toY movethe same1 vertically unless the movement is directly vertical and notonly partially so.

In the form of the invention illustratedtinligs. 9 to 1l, the windowstructure is substantially identical with that shown in the remainingiig'- ures, the only modification being the vuse of a reinforcing plate2t to form the slot dening portions of the casing llftgthis plate being`enlarged' to provide agreater anchorage surface. about the edges of theslot in the window and frame l.. The principal modiication lies in thebelt terminal Ita which is shown as provided with an improved latchingmeans to prevent accidental displacement, of the terminal from.; theslot. The latch comprises a pivoted lever whichis urged to the positionshown in. solid lines in Fig. 9 by the spring 26 and has its movement inthis direc.- tion limited by a stop pin 2l extended through the flangedside armslt oi the. lever.. This latch, when.A inthe position.- shownin. solid lines in Fig. 9; has its. inner end disposed above the head Itci4 the terminal and in substantial alignment therewith. at a. pointrsuch that upon vertical movement ci the terminal lila it will come intocontact with. the. upper wall of the slot prior to disengagement of thehead it from the narrow. `portion of. the slot,v thus absolutelypreventing accidental disengagement oi the. head. I-Iowever, by a slightpressure of the. palm of the hand against the outer end of the lever itmay be swung to the dotted line position oi Fig. S and in this position.will clear the iront wall or frame permitting the head to be elevated toits disengaging position, and removed from. the trame in one movement'.

It will be obvious that the engagement of. the vertical head behind themetallic element of the window places the strain entirely on he windowitself. and distributes this strain. over a relatively wide s riaceinstead of concentrating it atia pair of securing elements such as areordinarily employed inlastening the usual knob plates to the windowframe. This is particularly true when the internal housingk or casingllt is utilized,.since this housing will, of itself, se ve to assist indistribution of the strains. Ftutthermore, with` the use oi a relativelylong head on the belt 'terminal the wear due to the constant movementoi" thisterminal is distributed over a greater area and will not resultin rapid destruction thereon? as in Furthermore, since the anchorserv-ing as the belt terminal is. subject to constant inspection by theoperator, dangers arising from disintegrationv by crystallization o-rfracture areI considerably lessened.

While I have disclosed my invention as applied to only one type ofwooden sash frame and a single type of. metallic sash frame, it will beobviousy that itis readily adapted to use, with all types ofsash. and.I, accordingly, .do not wish. to .beunderstood as limiting myself toeither form herein particularly illustrated except as hereinafterclaimed.

I claim:

1. In combination with a window structure including a lxed, verticallyextending metallic element having a vertically elongated keyhole slotand arranged to afford a recess at the slot, a safety belt terminalhaving an elongated head insertible through the upper larger end of theslot and oi av width greater than the width of the narrow lower portionof the slot, a vertically elongated narrow neck engageable in the lowernarrow portion of the slot, and a cover pivoted tosaldi metallicrelementat the upper end of the slot and normally concealing said slot.

21 In combination with a window structure including a l'lxed, verticallyextending metallic element having a vertically elongated keyhole slotand arranged to afford a recess at the slot, a safety belt terminalhaving anfelong'atedhead insertible throughthe upperlarger end-cfthe-slot and of* a width greater than the width of the narrow lowerportion of the slot,` a vertically elon- 3. In-. combination with aAwindow structure including a xed, vertically extending metallic elementhaving a vertically elongated keyhole slot and arranged to afford aVrecess at the slot, a safety belt terminal having an elongated headinsertible through the upper larger end of the slot and of a widthgreater than the width ci the narrow lower portion of the slot, avertically elongated narrow neck engageable in the lowernarrow portionof the slot, and means pivoted at the upperl end of the slot iornormally blocking the upper larger end oi the slot comprising a coverformed in hingedly connected sections, the upper portion of which is oia length to cover the upper end oi the slot.

4. In combination with a window structure including a; fixed, verticallyextending metallic element having a vertically elongated keyhole slotand arranged to afford a recess at the slot, a.

safety belt terminal` having an elongated head insertible through theupper larger end of the slot and of awidth greater than,` the widthofthe sertiblezthrough the upper larger end of the'slot,

and vof awidth-greater than the width of the narrow lower portion of theslot, a vertically elongated `narrow. neck yengageablein the lowernarrow portion of the slot, a. latch pivoted to the upper portion of.said` terminal, means limiting pivotal movement of the'latch withitsinner end spaced above and in alignment withl said head at a point suchthat said inner end will engage the upper end' of the slot priorY to.'ydisengagement of. the head from-the narrow portions of the slot, and aspring yieldalolyl maintainingy said latch ini. said position;

6. In combination with a metallic Wndowsash; 752.

frame having a vertically extending portion thereof formed with avertically elongated keyhole slot opening to the interior ofthe frame, asafety belt terminal having an elongated head insertible through theupper larger end of the slot and of a Width greater than the Width ofthe narrow portion of the slot, a vertically elongated narrow neckengageable in the lower portion of the slot, a latch pivoted to theupper portion of said terminal, means limiting pivotal movement of thelatch with its inner end spaced above and in alignment with said head ata point such that said inner end will engage the upper end of the slotprior to disengagement of the head from the narrow portion of the slot,and a spring yieldably maintaining said latch in said position.

'7. In combination with a window structure including a xed, verticallyextending metallic element having a vertically elongated keyhole slotand arranged to afford a recess at the slot, a safety belt terminalhaving an elongated head insertible through the upper larger end of theslot and of a width greater than the width of the narrow lower portionof the slot, a vertically elongated narrow neck engageable in the lowernarrow portion of the slot, a cover pivoted to said metallic element atthe upper end of the slot and normally concealing said slot, a latchivoted to the upper portion of said terminal, means limiting pivotalmovement of the latch with its inner end spaced above and in alignmentwith said head at a point such that said inner end will engage the upperend of the slot prior to disengagement of the head from the narrowportion or the slot, and a spring yieldably maintaining said latch insaid position.

8. In combination with a window structure including a Xed, verticallyextending metallic elementhaving a vertically elongated keyhole slot andarranged to aiord a recess at the slot, a safety belt terminal having anelongated head insertible through the upper larger end of the slot andof a width greater than the width of the narrow lower portion of theslot, a vertically elongated narrow neck engageable in the lower narrowportion of the slot, means pivoted at the upper end of the slot fornormally blocking the upper larger end of the slot, a latch pivoted tothe upper portion of said terminal, means limiting pivotal movement ofthe latch with its inner end spaced above and in alignment with saidhead at a point such that said inner end will engage the upper end ofthe slot prior to disengagement of the head from the narrow portion ofthe slot, and a spring yieldably maintaining said latch in saidposition.

9. In combination with a window structure including a xed, verticallyextending metallic element having a vertically elongated keyhole slotand arranged to afford a recess at the slot, a safety belt terminalhaving an elongated head insertible through the upper larger end of theslot and of a width greater than the width of the narrow lower portionof the slot, a vertically elongated narrow neck engageable in the lowernarrow portion of the slot, a casing at the inner surface of themetallic element and having sealing engagement with the metallic elementabout the edges of the slot, a latch pivoted to the upper portion ofsaid terminal, means limiting pivotal movement of the latch with itsinner end spaced above and in alignment with said head at a point suchthat said inner end will engage the upper end of the slot prior toldisengagement of the head from the narrow portion of the slot, and aspring yieldably maintaining said latch in said position.

BENJAMIN HARRISON POLLOCK.

